Several Renfrew County residents were recently honoured for their commitment with the 2012 "Heroes in the Home" Caregiver Recognition Awards.

Presented by the Champlain Community Care Access Centre, the award is presented to individuals - including family members, friends, volunteers and health care professionals - whose kindness and commitment allows others to live full lives in their communities, despite the limitations of age, illness or disability.

In all, 181 individuals across Eastern Ontario were honoured by the Champlain Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) for their selfless commitment. These individuals work in partnership with the Champlain CCAC to ensure that health and home care is provided to those in need. Renfrew County recipients were praised in a ceremony at Miramichi Lodge.

"The contributions you make and the sacrifices you make on a daily basis probably fly under the radar in the average person's life," Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski told the ceremony. "They don't notice it because it is happening in someone else's home."

An informal caregiver – spouse, child, extended family member, friend, neighbor, in a given day will provide medical care, emotional support and assistance with daily living activities. These individuals are integral to health care in Canada, said Gilles Lanteigne, chief executive officer of the Champlain CCAC. It has been estimated that by relieving public cost, informal caregivers contribute over $25 billion to the Canadian economy.

"It is very clear that without caregivers it would not be possible for us to play the role we play in the region," said Lanteigne.

"The word 'hero' is defined as a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for their noble acts and qualities," CCAC Champlain board chairman Michael Ennis said. "Those of you who are here today did not accept your roles for awards or titles."

The Champlain Community Care Access Centre assists thousands of people in diverse communities to navigate a complex health system. It supports clients in a variety of settings through injury, illness and the complications of age or disability by facilitating their access to information, community based services and other resources.